S.Res. 282 — Agreed to in Senate

III 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 282 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES October 31, 2013Mr. Nelson (for himself, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Warner, Mr. Coons, Mr. Brown, Mr. Franken, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Harkin, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Begich, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Tester, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Markey, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Ms. Warren, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Baucus, and Mr. Johanns) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Whereas the Corporation for National and Community Service (in this preamble referred to as the CNCS) was established under section 191 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12651), as added by section 202 of the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (Public Law 103–82; 107 Stat. 873); Whereas, since 1993, the CNCS has operated as an independent Federal agency, overseeing all national and community service programs authorized by the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq.); Whereas the CNCS connects people of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their communities and the United States; Whereas programs conducted by the CNCS strive to address national and local needs, while renewing an ethic of civic responsibility and community spirit in the United States by encouraging citizens to participate in service; Whereas, since 1993, millions of people in the United States have served in AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Learn and Serve America, and other CNCS programs, addressing the most pressing challenges facing the United States, from helping students graduate and supporting veterans and military families to preserving the environment and helping communities recover from natural disasters; Whereas participants serve in tens of thousands of locations across the country, bolstering the civic, neighborhood, and faith-based organizations that are so vital to the economic and social well-being of the people of the United States; Whereas national service expands economic opportunity by creating more sustainable, resilient communities and providing education, career skills, and leadership abilities for those who serve; Whereas national service represents a partnership between public and private organizations, invests in community solutions, and leverages State and local resources to strengthen community impact; Whereas, in 2009, Congress passed the Serve America Act (Public Law 111–13; 123 Stat. 1460), authorizing the expansion of national service, expanding opportunities to serve, increasing efficiency and accountability, and strengthening the capacity of organizations and communities to solve problems through the Social Innovation Fund, the Volunteer Generation Fund, and other initiatives; Whereas AmeriCorps and Senior Corps support the military community by engaging veterans in service, helping veterans readjust to civilian life, and providing support to military families; Whereas more than 17,000 veterans have served as AmeriCorps members and have helped veterans and military families access benefits and services, conduct job searches, and provide safe and affordable housing; Whereas the CNCS is working to increase the number of veterans and military families served by and engaged in programs supported by the CNCS; Whereas, since 1994, CNCS programs and members have provided critical services to millions of people in the United States who have been affected by floods, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other disasters and emergencies, helping families and communities rebuild their lives; Whereas the CNCS has partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to launch FEMA Corps, which strives to strengthen the disaster response capacity of the United States, increase the reliability and diversity of the disaster response workforce, promote an ethic of service, and prepare young people for careers in emergency management; and Whereas the Task Force on Expanding National Service established in July 2013 is working to expand national service opportunities: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate— (1) commemorates the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Corporation for National and Community Service; (2) recognizes that, for 20 years, the Corporation for National and Community Service has worked to improve lives, strengthen communities, expand economic opportunity, foster innovation and civic engagement, and engage millions of people in the United States in solving critical problems through national service; (3) recognizes that, since the inception of AmeriCorps in 1994, more than 820,000 people have served as AmeriCorps members, serving approximately 1,000,000,000 hours, mobilizing millions of volunteers, and improving the lives of countless people in the United States; (4) welcomes the efforts of the Corporation for National and Community Service to increase the involvement of veterans and military families in national service and to expand services to the military community; (5) recognizes the goal of the Serve America Act (Public Law 111–13; 123 Stat. 1460) to increase the number of approved national service positions to 250,000 by 2017; and (6) recognizes and thanks all those who have served in AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and other programs conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service for demonstrating commitment, dedication, and patriotism through their service to the people of the United States.